Guide To Work Assignments

Autocross works because all racers participate in the running of the event. At the drivers meeting… you’ll be assigned to a work-group and will need to check in with the worker chief with your group. Announcements will be made when check-ins are starting so keep an ear out. Any drivers who do not complete their work assignment will have their times disqualified and will have to work a double shift at the next event. It’s important for you to show up on time for your work assignment as the consequences are shared by a larger group of people than you may realize.

Typically novices will start out as a Corner Worker. If you’re physically unable to work course (it does require a bit of running and standing)… then be sure the worker chief knows this when you check-in and we’ll find another job you can help out with. Once you’ve gotten some experience and are ready for more responsibility… you can learn and request to work other positions.

Note: Corner workers are the most important workers to ensure a safe, fun, and efficient event. Watch the other people in your station. Be aware that a car may leave the course if it loses control. All course worker positions should be taken seriously. If you’ve never worked course before, we recommend you watch the video here on how to do it.

DO

Check-in with the Worker Chief prior to the beginning of your work heat.

Make sure your station has adequate supplies (extra cones, fire extinguisher(s), red flag, and a radio with sufficient battery life.)

Know your area of responsibility and the location of your radio person.

Spread out to effectively cover your area and communicate to other corners (ie: decide who is primarily responsible for cones in overlapping sections).

Make sure all of the cones in your area are in the proper place when you first come on station AND periodically check them all during your work shift when there’s a break in the action.

Pay attention to the cars on course for accurate cones counts AND your safety.

Run to replace cones as soon as possible as another car will be through the course in 10-20 seconds. If the next car has to stop on course because a worker is taking their time, it slows the event down.

If a large number of cones get hit, like a car takes out an entire wall, then do the best you can as quickly as you can. You may have to replace some, run off-course and come back after the next car to finish the job. Try to keep the racing line clear. If you’re a worker and you see this happen to your neighbor, then decide if you can run and help safely.

Cars will sometimes pick up cones and take them with em. Each station should have a set of replacement cones. Be sure to grab the cones you’ll need before running out on course.

Pay close attention to cones immediately after a car passes to ensure they aren’t in motion. The best drivers will get so close to the cones that they will wiggle out of position slightly. Cones that are just slightly out of the box will anger the Pro drivers to no end. You don’t want to be on their bad side

If you’re not the corner captain… communicate any penalties to that person. Understand the rules for calling downed cones and DNFs. You can brush up on how to call penalties here. It will also be reviewed during the Novice Walks in the morning.

Be prepared for exposure to sun, rain, wind, heat, cold, etc. while on course. A hat is recommended. Be sure to stay hydrated.

DO NOT

Use cameras or cell phones.

Sit down or wander from your post.

Turn your back to the cars on course.

Run through the timing lights. If you trip the finish lights then timing will be off for all of the cars on course and reruns will have to be issued… slowing down the event and resulting in more time on course.

Litter! Finding adequate locations for racing is difficult and we can’t afford to anger management and risk losing a site.

Corner Captain

Call in all penalties, course deviations, re-runs, and parts that have fallen off of cars to Control. You are the eyes and ears of what’s going on on course. Sometimes, those in the trailer do not even have a view of the course.

The red flag must be kept in hand, held against the leg, and ready for immediate deployment.

Ensure that runners have properly accounted for downed cones. You can brush up on the rules here.

Ensure that your corner’s flagger is able to hear radio commands for a red flag, or be able to communicate a red flag situation to your flagger

Use proper radio procedure as instructed by Radio Control. This is typically handled as follows:

Ensure that vehicle numbers and classing complies with section 3.7 of the Solo rules and that required decals, if applicable, are in place.

Gate & Waivers

Note that you must have an active SCCA membership in order to work waivers

Make sure everyone who comes onto the site has signed the waiver and has a wristband or hard card visible on their waist or higher.

Sign, date, and list the event name on all waivers used.

Assist in completion of minor waivers. Sign as witness, give parent one copy, and retain remaining copies for Registration.

Registration

Before the event, man one of the registration computers in the trailer and log the drivers in the timing system as they come up.

Verify that any drivers who pre-registered have payment information on file and make any class or number changes requested.

Add any drivers who did not pre-register and take payment.

Grid

Use a radio to communicate with Radio Control and ensure that both parties can hear each other clearly.

Make sure grid marshals understand correct procedures and that they check every car for a tech sticker.

Determine when the 2-driver break is and modify, if necessary, based on the flow of the heat. One half of the heat may have significantly quicker cars than the other.

Coordinate the timing of reruns and inform those drivers accordingly.

Make sure grid marshals have cars at the starting line and in queue at all times.

Assign assistant grid marshals to direct traffic into and out of grid, keep track of mechanicals, two-driver cars, and reruns.

Ensure other grid workers line-up vehicles in their proper numbered grid position and send to start line.

Starter

Under the direction of the Event Steward and Timing and Scoring, start cars at an appropriate interval to allow both safety and smooth event operation. Use appropriate discretion to avoid allowing faster cars catching up to slower cars.

Be alert to cars spinning/breaking on course before starting cars. It is the starter’s job, to the best of their ability and visibility, to ensure that the course is safe for a car to start.

Verify that helmets are strapped on and that seat restraints (if applicable) are tightened.

Be listening for any commands from Radio Control, such as “hold start”, and control the car at the line accordingly.

Timing

Fair warning: This task can get a bit stressful as there are a lot of things happening at once. You are essentially in control of the event as far as starting and stopping racing.

If you are not familiar with the AxWare Software, please see the T&S Chief.

Perform a worker check to ensure that each corner station, starter, and grid chief has a working radio. Instruct course radio workers in proper radio procedure.

Check with each station to verify supplies, personnel, and instructions on how to call in penalties before the start of each heat.

As cars queue up at the start line, flag the driver in AxWare by class & number as being in line

Enter penalties, DNFs and re-runs as they are radioed in by the Corner Captains. Be sure to acknowledge each report: “Roger… plus 1 on SS 32”

Record all cars on the Radio Incident Log and note penalties, DNFs, or re-runs as appropriate. This allows for easier cross-reference to the Compter Log and serves as a backup for the order of cars.

If a safety situation arises, inform specific corner workers to red flag any car(s) on course.

If the runs need to be stopped for any reason, such as computer error or safety issues, immediately inform Starter to “hold start” and ensure it is acknowledged.

Immediately inform Grid of reruns. If Grid does not acknowledge or cannot hear you, send an auditor, if possible, to personally inform them.

Keep an eye on finish times. If times are suddenly very large or very small, an issue with an off-course car or a timing light may have occurred and needs to be resolved before the event can continue.

Audit

Fair warning: This task can get a bit stressful as there are a lot of things happening at once.

If you are not familiar with the Audit Software, please see the T&S Chief.

As cars queue up at the start line, flag the driver in the Audit Software by class & number as being in line

Enter penalties, DNFs and re-runs as they are radioed in by the Corner Captains.

Correct any discrepancies and inform the computer operator when time allows.

Keep an eye on finish times. If times are suddenly very large or very small, an issue with an off-course car or a timing light may have occurred and needs to be resolved before the event can continue. If possible… a video feed of the finish line will be set up to verify that the cars crossing the finish line is the correct one according to the Audit Software.

Announcer

Provide an accurate and interesting commentary of the action on the course in a tasteful and unbiased manner. Remember that there will be kids at the event and we are broadcasting on FM. This goes for you too Frodo.

Make announcements as requested by Timing or Op Steward (i.e., calling for worker check-in, recognition of sponsors/vendors).

For the 2019 Board of Directors elections two incumbents informed the club of a desire to rerun. In addition to this, nominations were received for four additional members. If you are a member of CCR in good standing, please read below to learn a little bit about each person and…

CCR Members! The Board of Directors needs your help! We made a woops and we need your input on how it should be handled. In our September meeting we realized we had gotten a late start announcing nominations for the three board of directors positions up for election this year.…